Thirty-eight teams of middle school and high school students from around the state will converge at the Ionia High School gym Saturday, Feb. 16, for a free Science Olympiad invitational.

Science Olympiad is a tournament where students compete in events that pertain to subject including engineering, biology, physics, chemistry and astronomy.

Assistant Science Olympiad coach Chad Wireman said teams work to achieve high scores and placements in each event. Teams who place high receive medals and the overall scores are combined. The highest scoring teams will receive trophies. Today's events will include an elastic launch glider, boomilever and a gravity vehicle, he added.

"(The events are) interesting to see because they show student works of science, and it shows how advanced science in the classroom can be. Younger kids watching these events (can) see the possibilities that extracurricular activities offer at many schools, including Ionia Public Schools," said Wireman. "Students that participate in many of these events often end up moving on to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) in higher education and (use those skills in) future careers."

Although the invitational is simply a large practice session for all of the teams, teams can compete in regionals, state and national competitions.

Science Olympiad coach Kyle Ondersma said he believes the competition is fun and a good way for the team members to better themselves and connect with competitors from other schools. He added he also is pleased to host an event that will bring people to Ionia.

Team check-in is from 8 to 9 a.m. and events will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Awards are expected to be presented at 4 p.m.